Filled Boxes Bracelet Tutorial

Prep & thread: Cut ~4–5 ft of thread, find midpoint, put a needle on each end. Leave a short tail or use a tiny stop bead near midpoint if you prefer. Attach cup-button start (V-start): Exit at the center, slide the cup-button shank, add a small V of seed beads (11/0s and an 8/0 if used) under the shank as the tutorial shows, then cross both needles through the V to lock the clasp in place. Make 1–2 reinforcement passes. Create the first RAW unit (two-needle): On the right needle pick up: 11/0 → 11/0 → 11/0; on the left needle pick up the same. Cross both needles through a central 11/0 to form the first RAW “box corner.” Pull snug so the unit sits square. Add the pearl “fill” to the box: With both needles, add: 8/0 → pearl → 8/0 so the pearl is seated inside the RAW box. Route needles through the appropriate holes so the pearl sits centered inside the square. Reinforce by sewing back through the box beads once. Repeat RAW box units down the band: Continue the sequence: build the RAW unit, then add 8/0 → pearl → 8/0 for each box. Repeat until you have used your target number of pearls (example: 9 pearls for ~7"). Check length often: Wrap the piece around your wrist or mandrel periodically — RAW geometry and pearls change circumference. Adjust number of units as needed before finishing. Make the seed-bead loop for clasp (other end) At desired length, build a bead loop sized to your cup-button (e.g., 12–14 × 11/0 or as required). Anchor by passing needles through surrounding beads and tightening the loop to test fit over the button. Add delica + crystal side embellishments: Exit an outer 11/0 along the box side. Add a sequence to form the decorative side: Delica(s) → crystal bicone → Delica(s) and sew into the corresponding bead on the opposite side so crystals sit between boxes. Repeat along the length so the bracelet gets a continuous sparkling edge. Use the same pattern symmetrically on both sides if desired. Reinforce high-stress areas: Make 2–3 reinforcement passes through the first few boxes, the clasp area, and around the crystal bridges. Keep tension even — don’t over-tighten or you’ll distort the boxes. Tie off & bury tails: With each needle, weave the thread into internal bead paths (through 4–6 beads), make a small weaver’s knot if desired, trim close and carefully zap/melt if using synthetic thread. Repeat for the tail on the starting side. Final polish: Test the clasp fit, check pearls sit centered in each box, and do a last light tightening pass if needed. If using a wire guard, secure per the video (2–3 passes). Clean up stray thread and admire the finished bracelet.